new mkIII owner...some questions

19gti97 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 05:29 AM

whats up i just got a 97 gti 2.0 and i have a couple questions... first off when i accelerate real hard or make a hard turn my gas gauge goes wack and it will shoot up and down turnin on the need gas light. does this happen to anyone else? is it a problem? can it be fixed? also my left blinker just decides to turn on sometimes and i have to tap the dash to get it to stop...how can that be fixed? thanks

toomanyproblems · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:18 AM

when i bought my 95 the gas gauge would go everywhere, i bought a used cluster, 98 i think and it doesn't do that anymore. no biggie really unless it bugs you.

gtr3nos1 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:20 AM

its most likely your cluster, its a common problem, usually if your pretty good at soldering and you have a good magnifying glass then you can fix the problem, which is some broken solder points

19gti97 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 12:49 PM

is the soldering for the gas gauge or the blinker or both?

gtr3nos1 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:56 PM

there is really any in particular but if your problem is near your gas gauge and your blinker then look around them for broken solder points, but if you aren't good with soldering you could cause more damage to the board/cluster, and in that case your better off buying a used cluster

19gti97 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:10 AM

ok well in addition to that now when i turn on my blinker my airbag light comes on...also if i turn on my wipers sometimes the rear or front or both dont shut off....how hard is replacing the cluster?

19gti97 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:11 AM

also above my fuses there are what i am assuming bigger fuses like blocks...i am missing a few....is that normal or do i need them all?

vwmercer98 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 05:50 AM

those are relays. and u should not be missing any. unless u dont have certain features. thats just a guess

Ninja Please · #9 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 07:26 AM

IMO the first task of anyone who gets ahold of an older VW (or any German car) should be to clean the fuse/relay connections with Isopropol Alcohol, check the wiring under the dash, clean the multipin connections under the dash and behind the cluster, and check all ground points. If necessary re-solder the cluster and clean the wiring,multipin, and switches in the door and hatch/trunk (Its only about 11 screws to remove to get inside the door) All of this is probably an 8 hour project.

If you do this, you will probably have prevented more than half of the problems with the car in your future. This is the only way to keep the Ghost in the Machine happy and the Gremlins at bay.:k:

19gti97 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 05:02 AM

well i believe i am missing three relays but there may be more since the higher it is the harder to see....i dont have power windows so i am assumin thats one...but would a missin relay mess with my cluster and odometer(which has decided to stay put at 149175)? is it hard to install a new cluster? do i need to take the dash off to get to the cluster?

mcrow · #11 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:10 PM

There is a not a relay for the cluster. Removing the cluster can be time consuming, you need to remove everything around the cluster including the steering wheel.

gtr3nos1 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 12:31 PM

no need to remove the steering wheel, you can remove the cluster in about 10 minutes, here is a DIY VWvortex Forums: mk3 gauge cluster removal walkthru

19gti97 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 12:02 PM

thanks for the link...thats awesome...

96GTIVR6 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtr3nos1

no need to remove the steering wheel, you can remove the cluster in about 10 minutes, here is a DIY VWvortex Forums: mk3 gauge cluster removal walkthru

10 minutes? fuck, i've done it so many times i can have it done in two

if you hve a tilt wheels it *does* make it easier if you tilt it all the way down.

Ninja Please · #15 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrow

There is a not a relay for the cluster. Removing the cluster can be time consuming, you need to remove everything around the cluster including the steering wheel.

I did not have to remove the steering wheel to get the cluster out, but Ive got a GTI -so Im not sure if the steering wheels smaller or something.